The 1863 Tennessee gubernatorial election was held on August 6, 1863, to elect the next governor of Tennessee. Incumbent Democratic governor Isham G. Harris was prohibited by the state constitution from seeking a fourth consecutive term.[2] On July 17, 1863, the state's Confederate leaders met in Winchester, Tennessee, and nominated DemocratRobert L. Caruthers for governor.[3][4] 30 counties, mainly those still under Confederate control, participated in the election. Caruthers won effectively unopposed, with only two of the 30 counties recording votes for Unionist Parson Brownlow.[1]
The state constitution required that the governor-elect take the oath of office before the General Assembly. Since the Union Army controlled most of Middle and West Tennessee at this time, the Assembly was unable to convene, and Caruthers never officially took office. Confederates continued to recognize Harris as governor until the end of the war. Union forces, in the meantime, had installed Andrew Johnson as military governor.[2]
^ abDubin, Michael J. (2014). United States Gubernatorial Elections, 1861-1911: The Official Results by State and County. McFarland & Company. pp. 502–503. ISBN9780786456468.
Government